community service

The Maryland Chamber inducted three outstanding business leaders into its Maryland Business Hall of Fame last night, during the Annual Membership Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Awards Dinner.

“This year’s inductees have inspirational stories of business success and community involvement,” said Chamber Chairman Austin J. Slater, JR., President & CEO of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. “Through their expertise, leadership, and caring, this year’s honorees have made a meaningful impact on Maryland’s economy and in our communities.”

This year’s inductees were:

Kenneth R. Banks, Founder & President, Banks Contracting Co., Inc.
After first working for a New York-based contracting company, Banks set up his own company in Baltimore. What began as a small three-man operation in 1980 has grown into an award winning, multi-million dollar company with a staff of 40. In 2001, Banks expanded into the world of real estate development. He began acquiring commercial properties in the region through Banks Development Group, which now owns numerous facilities ranging from 8000 square feet to more than two million, including University of Maryland, Biotech Park, Johns Hopkins Hospital Technology Park and the 750-room Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel. Banks serves as Vice President of the President’s Roundtable, Board member of the Greater Baltimore Committee, and Member of the President’s Advisory Council of his alma mater Adelphi University. He recently chaired the Baltimore Gala for the American Heart Association.

Karen Myers, President, Wisp Resort Development, Inc.
Myers leads a development group that has invested more than $30 million into making Wisp a four-season resort since acquiring the ski area in 2001 for $12 million. Recognized by the Garrett County Chamber as being a main driver of the local economy, Wisp has expanded its ski and sports adventure facilities, including the only circulating whitewater course in the country. Residential development near the ski area has also been developed by her team during the past decade. Myers is a member of the Governor’s Economic Development Commission and is the first Western Maryland business leader to be inducted into our Business Hall of Fame.

H. Thomas Watkins, President & CEO, Human Genome Sciences
Watkins joined Human Genome Sciences (HGS) as Chief Executive Officer and a Director in December 2004, and was named President in December 2005. He came to HGS with nearly 20 years of experience at Abbott Laboratories and its affiliates in the United States and Asia. Watkins began his career in 1974 with Arthur Andersen & Co., and was a management consultant with McKinsey and Company, Inc., from 1979 to 1985. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Symphony Orchestra. He currently serves as Chair of the Life Sciences Advisory Board of the State of Maryland, and is a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute.

The Maryland Business Hall of Fame was established by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce in 2000 to recognize the accomplishments of entrepreneurs and business executives whose contributions, in business and in the community, have helped advance the quality of life for Marylanders and improve the state’s business climate. Individuals are nominated throughout the year by members of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s Executive Committee selects the inductees, who are honored each year during the Maryland Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Awards Dinner.

Including this year’s inductees, there are 32 members of the Maryland Business Hall of Fame, including Frank Perdue, Eddie Brown, Linda Gooden, Chip Mason and many more. View a complete list of past inductees here.

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